Bitzan Saves Senior Season
Article reprinted courtesy of Fargo Forum and reporter Eric Peterson. Picture courtesy of Fargo Forum photographer David Samson.
MOORHEAD – Elizabeth Bitzan elevated to make a save during spring practice last April before things went wrong. The Concordia goalkeeper said she landed "pretty weird" and heard a "couple of pops" before she crumpled to the ground.
"I definitely felt the pain," said Bitzan, a senior who is a Fargo Shanley graduate.
So did her teammates.
"All of our hearts sank a little bit because we didn't know how bad it was," Cobbers senior midfielder Morgan Holm said. "We knew it was something big."
Bitzan tore her ACL, leaving her with a big decision. Her options: Have surgery and miss her senior women's soccer season with the Cobbers; or try to rehab and play through the injury.
She chose the latter, knowing she plans to go to graduate school next fall.
"There wasn't an option for me," Bitzan said. "I knew if there was any way I could come back, I was going to put in the effort."
That effort has been worth it. Bitzan has a 9-6 record after Concordia's 4-0 nonconference home victory against Northwestern (Minn.). She left the game in the first half for precautionary measures after tweaking her knee.
"Another speed bump," Bitzan said with a laugh.
Bitzan is expected to be ready for Saturday when the Cobbers play at Bethel. Bitzan has a 1.38 goals against average this season, including two shutouts. She was part of Monday's team shutout.
"She definitely makes a save every game to keep us in it," Cobbers head coach Kevin Roos said. "I think it's been pretty impressive."
Bitzan eventually plans to get her knee surgically repaired, but that will have to wait until after the soccer season. She wears a brace on the knee, and while rehab has been tedious, the mental aspect has been the biggest challenge.
Bitzan has had a few "speed bumps" with the injury, Roos said, including when she tweaked her knee during preseason practice. That forced her to miss a few days.
"My teammates have been so supportive and always bring me up when I'm down," Bitzan said.
Holm hasn't seen a dropoff in performance from Bitzan since the injury.
"To be honest, I don't think you would ever guess that she doesn't have an ACL right now," said Holm, who is a Moorhead High School graduate. "Some of the saves she is making right now is unreal."
Bitzan is also an accomplished singer. She has performed the national anthem prior to a Concordia women's soccer game. Bitzan participates in opera scenes at Concordia, singing soprano.
"I love to sing," said Bitzan, who is also a fan of gospel choral music.
Holm said Bitzan is one of the nicest, most grounded people she has ever met. Holm added most players have gone to Bitzan on the bus for help with homework.
Having Bitzan in the net has provided a lift for the Cobbers, especially after it looked like she may not play this fall after her injury last spring.
"It means a lot to the team," Holm said. "I think it was pretty selfless of her to not do the surgery and put the team first. It says a lot about her character."